Rigless well intervention apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to a rigless well intervention apparatus and method for well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention. Specifically, the present invention relates to a rigless well intervention apparatus and method for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques whether designed to be run through, or conducted within, the production tubing of an oil or gas well, or not, ranging from the ability to operate within a restricted diameter tubular with live-well intervention when the tubing is in place to the ability to drill the well.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a rigless well interventionapparatus and method. Specifically, the present invention relates to arigless well intervention apparatus and method for performing variouswell workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range ofproducts, services and techniques designed to be run through, orconducted within, the production tubing of an oil or gas well rangingfrom the ability to operate within a restricted diameter tubular withlive-well intervention particularly, for running or pulling pipe on saltleaching, geothermal or suspended wells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oil well completion is a generic term used to describe the assembly ofdownhole tubulars and equipment required to enable the safe andefficient production from an oil or gas well. The point at which thecompletion process begins may depend on the type and design of the well.However, there are many options applied or actions performed during theconstruction phase of a well that have significant impact on theproductivity of the well.

The drilling completion hardware is used to optimize the production ofhydrocarbons from the well. This may range from nothing but a packer ontubing above an openhole completion, sometimes referred to as barefootcompletion, to a system of mechanical filtering elements outside of theperforated pipe, to a fully automated measurement and control systemthat optimizes reservoir economics without human intervention, sometimesreferred to as an intelligent completion.

The drilling completion hardware, typically, requires a drilling rig. Adrilling rig is the machine used to drill a wellbore. In onshoreoperations, the rig includes virtually everything except livingquarters. Major components of the rig include the mud tanks, the mudpumps, the derrick or mast, the drawworks, the rotary table or topdrive,the drilistring, the power generation equipment and auxiliary equipment.Offshore, the rig includes the same components as onshore, but not thoseof the vessel or drilling platform itself. The rig is sometimes referredto as the drilling package, particularly offshore.

The rigless operation of a well completion process is defined as thewell-intervention operation conducted with equipment and supportfacilities that precludes the requirement for a rig over the wellbore.By way of example, and without limitation, examples of rigless wellcompletion operations are coiled tubing, slickline and snubbingactivities. However, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the use of the present invention provides for the use of a riglessoperation that can encompass essentially all well completion processes.

With respect to drilling a well, snubbing is the act of puttingdrillpipe into the wellbore when the blowout preventers (BOPs) areclosed and pressure is contained in the well. Snubbing is necessary whena kick is taken, since well kill operations should always be conductedwith the drillstring on bottom, and not somewhere up the wellbore. Ifonly the annular blowout preventer has been closed, the drillpipe may beslowly and carefully lowered into the wellbore, and the blowoutpreventer itself will open slightly to permit the larger diameter tooljoints to pass through. If the well has been closed with the use of ramblowout preventers, the tool joints will not pass by the closed ramelement. Hence, while keeping the well closed with either another ramblowout preventer or the annular blowout preventer, the ram must beopened manually, then the pipe lowered until the tool joint is justbelow the ram, and then closing the ram again. This procedure isrepeated whenever a tool joint must pass by a ram blowout preventer. Insnubbing operations, the pressure in the wellbore acting on thecross-sectional area of the tubular can exert sufficient force toovercome the weight of the drillstring, so the string must be pushed or“snubbed” back into the wellbore. In ordinary stripping operations, thepipe falls into the wellbore under its own weight, and no additionaldownward force or pushing is required.

Through-tubing well completion operations pertain to any reservoir orwellbore treatment performed through the tubing string. Through-tubingtreatments are generally associated with live-well operations, therebycausing minimal interruption to production and eliminating the need tokill the well.

Well workover and intervention operations pertain to a range ofproducts, services and techniques designed to be run through, orconducted within, the production tubing of an oil or gas well. The termimplies an ability to operate within a restricted diameter tubular andis often associated with live-well intervention since the tubing is inplace.

Typically, the well site is required to be rigged-up prior to productionbeginning. The rigging-up process includes setting up the substructureof the rig, setting up rig floor, setting up the mast or derrick,installing handrails, guardrails, stairs, walkways, and ladders,installing the power systems, rigging up the circulating system,installing the auxiliary equipment, and inspecting the rig. After theprocedure is complete that required the rig, the rigging-down procedureis begun. The rigging down procedure is, typically, the oppositeprocedure from the rigging-up procedure.

In setting up the substructure of the rig, the equipment is unloaded andpositioned at or near the exact location that it will occupy duringoperations. The substructure is assembled, pinned together, leveled, andmade ready for other rig components on the floor. Equipping the cellarbegins but can be done throughout the rigging up process. Equipping thecellar includes welding on a drilling nipple to the conductor pipe andattaching a flow line. The cellar is a pit in the ground to provideadditional height between the rig floor and the well head to accommodatethe installation of blowout preventers, ratholes, mouseholes, and soforth. The cellar also collects drainage water and other fluids fordisposal.

Once the substructure is set in place, the process of setting up the rigfloor begins. Setting up the rig floor begins by installing stairwaysand guardrails to allow access to the rig floor. Then, the drawworks isset in place and secured to the substructure. On mechanical rigs, theengines are set in place and the compound and associated equipmentconnected to the drawworks. On electric rigs, the electric cables orlines are strung to the drawworks.

The bottom of the mast is raised to the rig floor and pinned in place.The crown section is then raised into place on the derrick stand. The“A-legs” are raised and pinned into place. The monkey board is pinned inplace on the mast and all lines and cables are laid out to preventtangling when the mast is raised. The mast is now ready to be raised.The engines are started, and the drilling line is spooled onto thedrawworks drum. Once the mast has been raised and pinned, the remainingfloor equipment can be set into place. If the rig has safety guylines,they must be attached to the anchors and properly tensioned prior tocontinuing the rigging up process. A derrick emergency escape device isinstalled on the mast. Handrails, guardrails, stairways, walkways, andladders are installed where they are needed for safety and access.

The power system is usually installed simultaneously with setting up therig floor, because power is needed to operate the equipment. Today thereare generally two types of rigs being used on land. A mechanical rig ispowered by engines and compound. An electric rig is powered by enginesand generators. This type supplies power to electric motors, which drivethe machinery. All power cords, belts, and chains are connected to themachinery from their associated power source. Also, the fuel lines andtanks are hooked up, and the engines are started.

Then, the circulating system is rigged up. Rigging up the circulatingsystem requires that the mud tanks and mud pumps are set into thepredetermined location. The mud lines are then connected and electriccords are strung.

Thereafter, all remaining drilling and auxiliary equipment must be setinto place and installed where needed. The catwalk and pipe racks arepositioned and the pipe and drill collars are set on the racks.

After production casing is run and cemented, the rig is taken down andmoved to another site. The rigging down process is similar to, but theopposite of, the rigging up process.

Wells eventually need maintenance or service on the surface or down-holeequipment. Working on an existing well to restore or increase oil andgas production is an important part of the petroleum industry. A wellthat is not producing to its full potential may require service orworkover.

Workover activities include one or more of a variety of remedialoperations on a producing well to try to increase production. Forexample, sand cleanout operations are performed to remove buildup ofsand in the wellbore. Repair is required for the liners and casing. Theliners and casing are essentially the same and repair procedures are thesame for both. Casing can be damaged by corrosion, abrasion, pressure,or other forces that create holes or splits. A packer is run down thewell to locate the hole in the casing. Fluid is pumped into the casingabove the packer. A loss of pressure indicates a hole in the casing.Examples of just some of the principal methods for repairing casing issqueeze cementing, patching a liner, replacing casing, adding a liner,and opening collapsed casing.

Sidetracking is the workover term for drilling a directional hole tobypass an obstruction in the well that cannot be removed or causesdamage to the well, such as a collapsed casing that cannot be repaired.Sidetracking is also done to deepen a well or to relocate the bottom ofthe well in a more productive zone, which is horizontally removed fromthe original well. To sidetrack, a hole called a window is made in thecasing above the obstruction. The well is then plugged with cement belowthe window. Special drill tools, such as a whipstock, bent housing, orbent sub are used to drill off at an angle from the main well. This newhole is completed in the same manner as any well after a liner is set.

Plug-back places a cement plug at one or more locations in a well toshut off flow from below the plug. Plug-back is also used beforeabandoning a well or before sidetracking is done.

Generally, a pulling unit or production rig is a well-servicing outfitused in pulling rods and tubing from the well. The production rig is aportable servicing or workover unit, usually mounted on wheels andself-propelled. A well servicing unit consists of a hoist and enginemounted on a wheeled chassis with a self-erecting mast. A workover rigis basically the same, with the addition of a substructure with rotary,pump, pits, and auxiliaries to permit handling and working a drillstring.

Among the reasons for pulling tubing includes replacing a packer,locating a tubing leak, or plugged tubing. To service, repair, orreplace the rods or pump, the sucker rod string must be pulled out ofthe hole. Pulling rods refers to the process of removing rods from thewell. Running rods refers to the process of replacing rods in the well.

To begin the process of pulling or running rods, the wellhead must beremoved from the casing flange. The wellhead or casing head is a heavy,flanged steel fitting connected to the first string of casing. Thecasing head provides a housing for slips and packing assemblies, allowssuspension of intermediate and production strings of casing, andsupplies the means for the annulus to be sealed off. It may also becalled a spool.

The above background discussion provides examples where the rigless wellintervention apparatus and method of the present invention can be used.The above discussion is not intended to be limiting, but rather, ismeant to be exemplar. Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe rigless well intervention apparatus and method can be adapted foruse in many and varied applications, including applications notdiscussed above, but appreciated by those skilled in the art as beingapplicable applications of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention and together with the general description of the inventiongiven above and the detailed description of the preferred embodimentsgiven below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention at a 90degree angle from the view in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an plan view of the preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an plan view of the upper level of the preferred embodiment ofthe rigless well intervention apparatus encompassed by the presentinvention as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing alanding joint about to engage a hanger.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus in FIG. 5 showing the hanger being removed.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus in FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the hanger beingremoved and the cylinders and gauges.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 showing the hangerremoved.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing aspider on the second level with the spider in ant open position.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing thespider on the second level as shown in FIG. 9 with the spider in anengaged position.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing therigless well intervention apparatus being lifted and placed on a well.

FIG. 12 is flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention method encompassed by the present invention.

FIG. 13 is flow chart of another preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention method encompassed by the present invention.

FIG. 14 is flow chart of another preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention method encompassed by the present invention.

The above general description and the following detailed description aremerely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes,advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggestedto those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention is asubstructure frame created to handle pipe and perform many and variedwell workover and intervention operations. Such operations can pertainto a range of products, services and techniques associated with runningor pulling pipe, or alternately, associated with the servicing or repairof the production tubing or other aspects of an oil or gas well. Therigless intervention apparatus of the present invention is especiallyadapted for running or pulling pipe on salt leaching, geothermal, orsuspended wells.

The substructure frame of the rigless intervention apparatus and methodof the present invention includes hydraulic jacks and strain gauges foraccurately controlling the positioning and movement of the pipe or otherwell components.

The rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention provides amoveable framework adapted for movement mechanically, hydraulically,using any type of fluid pressure, or any other way to move the parts ofthe frame to enable lifting or moving tubulars, pipe, and othercomponents. In one embodiment, the framework of the rigless interventionapparatus of the present invention has three levels: a upper level, amid level and a base level. The top level has a gallows-type device forlifting. The mid level has a spider elevator. And, the base level isconfigured to any height required to accommodate the ground covered. Therigless intervention apparatus of the present invention has a liftingcapacity of several hundred tons. Strain gauges are incorporated intothe rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention to determineand to monitor the exact weight to be lifted or being lifted. The straingauges are preferably in operative association with or located in thelifting mechanism. However, it is appreciated by one skilled in the artthat the strain gauges can be adapted for use with respect to any partof the rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention. Thus,the rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention candetermine, for example, the weight of the pipe of the old string hangingon the hook, or, what the weight is before initiating the pull to makesure that the weigh of the string will not exceed the pulling weight.The rigless intervention method and apparatus of the present inventionreplaces the conventional rig and incorporates the ability to monitorthe lifting process.

Activities for which the rigless intervention apparatus of the presentinvention is adapted particularly includes, without limitation, runningcompletions, running and pulling casing for measuring the caverncavities, pulling damaged pipe, jacking of the hanger prior to pulling,drilling salt with a mud motor, repair cavity leakage by pumpingsynthetic resin, drilling a synthetic plug, testing with an inflatableplug system, change over of the P-Seals on the well head without pullingthe casing, pull testing on the packer down hole, setting completion intension, cavern acceptance testing, changing seals on the wellhead.Examples of the varied and different activities for which the riglessintervention apparatus of the present invention is adapted are jackingthe hanger free, running pipe and running a control line.

The rigless intervention apparatus of the present invention can bebuilt, transported and lifted into place on the well head.

The advantages of the rigless intervention apparatus of the presentinvention are varied and numerous. By way of example, and withoutlimitation, the rigless intervention apparatus and method of the presentinvention is designed for leached activities, it is safe to operate, haslow transportation cost, has low rig movement cost, has low cost duringthe rig-up and rig-down process, the capacity can be above aconventional workover rig, it has minimum equipment requirements, nohighly qualified personnel are required, it has minimum certificationrequirements, and all operations are PC monitored. Additional featuresand advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thisdescription, and in part will become apparent from the description, ormay be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantagesof the invention may be realized by means of the combinations and stepsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention as described in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus 100 encompassed by the present invention.The rigless well intervention apparatus 100 comprises a base level 110,an intermediate level 120 and an upper level 130. The upper level 130has a gallows structure 132 for lifting components. Also, the upperlevel 130 has a ladder 134 for accessing the upper level 130.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus 200 encompassed by the present invention.The rigless well intervention apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 is shown at a 90degree angle from the view in FIG. 1. The rigless well interventionapparatus 200 comprises a base level 210, an intermediate level 220 andan upper level 230.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the cylinder 316A, 316Band strain gauge 318A, 318B arrangement of a preferred embodiment of therigless well intervention apparatus 300 encompassed by the presentinvention. The rigless well intervention apparatus 300 is shown with abase level 310 and an intermediate level 320. Intermediate between thebase level 310 and the intermediate level 320 are a rotating member311A, 311B, an exterior cylinder 312A, 312B, a cylinder mechanism 316A,316B, a strain gauge 318A, 318B, a shaft 314A, 314B and a secondrotating member 314A, 314B.

FIG. 4 is an plan view of an upper level 402 of the preferred embodimentof the rigless well intervention apparatus 400 encompassed by thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus 500 encompassed by the present invention showinga landing joint 12 about to engage a hanger 14. The landing joint 12 andthe hanger 14 are disposed between the base level 510 and theintermediate level 520.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus 600 in FIG. 5 showing the hanger 12 beingremoved from the well head 16. FIG. 6 also illustrates the base level610, the intermediate level 620 and the upper level 630. Between thebase level 610 and the intermediate level 620, the rotating member 611,the exterior cylinder 312, and the shaft 314 are shown.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus 700 in FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the hanger 12being removed from the well head 16 via the landing joint 14. Theintermediate level 720 is supported by the combination of the exteriorcylinder 712, the rod 714 and the rotating member 713. Also illustratedis the connection 718C in the cylinder 712 for the strain gauge. The rod714 is shown extended from the cylinder 712.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention apparatus 800 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 showing the hanger12 removed. Between the base level 810 and the intermediate level 820,the rotating member 811, the exterior cylinder 812, and the shaft 814are shown. The rod 814 is shown withdrawn into the cylinder 812.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing thespider 932 on the second level 920 and below the upper level 930. Thespider 932 is in a disengaged, open position.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus encompassed by the present invention showing thespider 1032 on the second level 1020 and below the upper level 1030. Thespider 1032 is in an engaged, closed position.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention apparatus 1100 encompassed by the present invention showingthe rigless well intervention apparatus 1100 being lifted and placed ona well by a crane 18.

FIG. 12 is flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the rigless wellintervention method 1200 encompassed by the present invention. Themethod is for performing various well completion, recompletion,servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertain to a rangeof products, services and techniques applied to a well having awellbore, and particularly, associated with a pipe string. The methodcomprises the steps of maintaining a structure in association with thewellbore such that the structure has a maximum string pulling capacity1202, measuring the weight of the pipe string in the wellbore 1204,determining whether the weight of the pipe string in the wellboreexceeds the maximum string pulling capacity of the structure 1206, ifthe weight of the pipe string in the wellbore exceeds the maximum stringpulling capacity of the structure then, terminating the pull of the pipestring in the wellbore 1208, and, if the weight of the pipe string inthe wellbore does not exceed the maximum string pulling capacity of thestructure then, commencing the pull of the pipe string in the wellbore1210.

FIG. 13 is flow chart of another preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention method 1300 encompassed by the present invention forperforming various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workoverand intervention operations that pertains to a range of products,services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore and acomponent associated with the well. The method comprising the steps ofmaintaining a structure in association with the wellbore such that thestructure has a maximum lifting capacity 1302, measuring the weight ofthe component associated with the well 1304, determining whether theweight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximumlifting capacity of the structure 1306, if the weight of the componentassociated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of thestructure then, terminating the lift of the component associated withthe well 1308, and if the weight of the component associated with thewell does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then,commencing the lift of the component associated with the well 1310.

FIG. 14 is flow chart of another preferred embodiment of the riglesswell intervention method 1400 encompassed by the present invention forperforming various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workoverand intervention operations that pertains to a range of products,services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore and acomponent associated with the well. The method comprising the steps ofmaintaining a structure in association with the wellbore such that thestructure has a maximum lifting capacity 1402, measuring the weight ofthe component associated with the well 1404, determining whether theweight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximumlifting capacity of the structure 1406, if the weight of the componentassociated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of thestructure then, terminating the lift of the component associated withthe well 1408, if the weight of the component associated with the welldoes not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then,commencing the lift of the component associated with the well 1410,monitoring the weight of the component during the lift 1412, if theweight of the component exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of thestructure during the lifting process then, terminating the lift of thecomponent and secure the component 1414, and if the weight of thecomponent does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structureduring the lifting process then, continuing the lift of the component tocompletion 1416.

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is thereforenot limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and theillustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly,departures may be made from the details without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosed general inventive concept.

1. A rigless well intervention apparatus comprising: a substructureframe having at least a first level and a second level; at least onefirst lifting device in operative association with the first level, thesecond level, or combinations thereof, wherein said at least one firstlifting device is operative to control a distance between the firstlevel and the second level for moving a well component associated withthe first level or the second level; a second lifting device disposed onthe substructure frame for moving the well component, an additional wellcomponent, or combinations thereof; a first strain gauge in operativeassociation with said at least one first lifting device, wherein thefirst strain gauge monitors a weight of the well component associatedwith said at least one first lifting device; and a second strain gaugein operative association with the second lifting device, wherein thesecond strain gauge monitors a weight of the well component, theadditional well component, or combinations thereof, associated with thesecond lifting device.
 2. The rigless well intervention apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one first lifting device comprises acylinder mechanism disposed between the first level and the secondlevel, and wherein the cylinder mechanism is operable to raise and lowerthe second level relative to the first level.
 3. The rigless wellintervention apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second lifting devicecomprises an additional cylinder mechanism disposed between the firstlevel and the second level, and wherein the additional cylindermechanism is operable to raise and lower the second level relative tothe first level
 4. The rigless well intervention apparatus of claim 2,further comprising a gripping apparatus disposed on the second level forgripping the well component, wherein the cylinder mechanism is operableto move the well component concurrent with raising and lowering thesecond level relative to the first level.
 5. The rigless wellintervention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lifting devicecomprises a gallows type lifting device for moving the well componentdisposed on an upper level of the substructure frame.
 6. A rigless wellintervention apparatus comprising: a frame having a plurality of levels;a gripping apparatus disposed on a selected level of the plurality oflevels for gripping a well component; at least one cylinder mechanism inoperative association with the selected level, wherein said at least onecylinder mechanism is operable to raise and lower the selected levelrelative to at least one other level, thereby moving the well component;and a strain gauge in operative association with said at least onecylinder mechanism, wherein the strain gauge monitors a weight of thewell component associated with said at least one cylinder mechanism. 7.The rigless well intervention apparatus of claim 6, wherein theplurality of levels comprises a top level above the selected level and abase level below the selected level.
 8. The rigless well interventionapparatus of claim 7, further comprising a gallows type lifting devicedisposed on the top level for moving the well component.
 9. The riglesswell intervention apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: at least oneadditional cylinder mechanism in operative association with the selectedlevel, wherein said at least one additional cylinder mechanism isoperable to raise and lower the selected level relative to said at leastone other level, thereby moving the well component; and an additionalstrain gauge in operative association with said at least one additionalcylinder mechanism, wherein the additional strain gauge monitors aweight of the well component associated with said at least oneadditional cylinder mechanism.
 10. A rigless well intervention apparatuscomprising: a base level; an intermediate level above the base level,wherein the intermediate level comprises a spider elevator for grippinga well component; a top level above the intermediate level, wherein thetop level comprises a gallows type lifting device for moving the wellcomponent; at least one cylinder mechanism in operative association withthe intermediate level, wherein said at least one cylinder mechanism isoperable to raise and lower the intermediate level relative to the toplevel, the base level, or combinations thereof, thereby moving the wellcomponent; and a strain gauge in operative association with said atleast one cylinder mechanism, wherein the strain gauge monitors a weightof the well component associated with said at least one additionalcylinder mechanism.
 11. The rigless well intervention apparatus of claim10, further comprising: at least one additional cylinder mechanism inoperative association with the intermediate level, wherein said at leastone additional cylinder mechanism is operable to raise and lower theintermediate level relative to said at least one other level, therebymoving the well component; and an additional strain gauge in operativeassociation with said at least one additional cylinder mechanism,wherein the additional strain gauge monitors a weight of the wellcomponent associated with said at least one additional cylindermechanism.
 12. The rigless well intervention apparatus of claim 10,further comprising an additional strain gauge in operative associationwith the spider elevator, the gallows type lifting device, orcombinations thereof, wherein the additional strain gauge monitors aweight of the well component associated with the spider elevator, thegallows type lifting device, or combinations thereof.
 13. A riglessmethod for performing well operations comprising: providing asubstructure frame comprising a plurality of levels; providing a wellcomponent in association with a selected level of the plurality oflevels; moving the selected level relative to at least one other level,thereby moving the well component; monitoring a weight of the wellcomponent while moving the selected level; and modifying a rate ofmovement of the selected level responsive to the weight of the wellcomponent.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the wellcomponent in association with the selected level comprises gripping thewell component using a gripping apparatus disposed on the selectedlevel.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein moving the selected levelrelative to at least one other level comprises actuating at least onecylinder mechanism disposed in operative association with the selectedlevel to raise or lower the selected level.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein monitoring the weight of the well component comprises using astrain gauge in operative association with said at least one cylindermechanism to measure weight associated with said at least one cylindermechanism.
 17. A rigless method for performing well operationscomprising: providing a structure having a first level comprising agripping apparatus disposed thereon, at least one cylinder mechanism inoperative association with the first level, and a strain gauge inoperative association with said at least one cylinder mechanism;gripping a well component with the gripping apparatus; actuating said atleast one cylinder mechanism to move the first level relative to anadditional level of the structure, thereby moving the well component;monitoring a weight of the well component associated with said at leastone cylinder mechanism using the strain gauge; and modifying a rate ofmovement of the first level responsive to the weight of the wellcomponent.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the structure furthercomprises a second level above the first level having a gallows typelifting device disposed thereon, the method further comprising movingthe well component using the gallows type lifting device, moving anadditional well component using the gallows type lifting device, orcombinations thereof.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingmonitoring a weight of the well component, the additional wellcomponent, or combinations thereof, associated with the gallows typelifting device using an additional strain gauge and modifying a rate oflifting of the gallows type lifting device responsive to the weight. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising determining a total weightusing the strain gauge and the additional strain gauge and modifying therate of movement of the first level, the rate of lifting of the gallowstype lifting device, or combinations thereof, responsive to the totalweight.